Sweden Says Russian Violation of Its Airspace ‘Unacceptable’

Russian fighter jets in Swedish airspace east of the Swedish Baltic Sea island of Gotland, on March 2, 2022. (Swedish Air Force/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)

Sweden’s defense minister on Wednesday condemned Russia’s violation of Swedish airspace.

The Swedish Armed Forces said in a statement that four Russian fighter jets briefly entered Swedish territory over the Baltic Sea.

Two Russian SU27 and two SU24 fighter jets briefly entered Swedish airspace east of the Swedish island of Gotland, the statement said, adding that Swedish JAS 39 Gripen jets were sent to document the violation.

“The Russian violation of Swedish airspace is of course completely unacceptable,” Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist told news agency TT. “It will lead to a firm diplomatic response from Sweden. Swedish sovereignty and territory must always be respected.”

The situation was under control, and Swedish preparedness was good, said Sweden’s Armed Forces.

“This demonstrates that our readiness is good,” Air Force Commander Carl-Johan Edstrom said in a statement. “We were on site to secure the territorial integrity and Sweden’s borders. We have complete control of the situation.”

“In the light of the current situation we view this event very seriously,” it said on its website.

Sweden is sending medical equipment to Ukraine, including 5,000 anti-tank weapons, government officials said Sunday. 

Canada on Sunday also accused Russia of violating a ban on aircraft from the country using Canadian airspace.

Transport Canada said Russian airline Aeroflot violated a prohibition that was put in place in Canada earlier that day.

Transport Canada said it will launch a review into the conduct of Aeroflot and Canada’s air-traffic control service provider Nav Canada following the violation.

“We will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action and other measures to prevent future violations,” the Canadian regulator said.

The measures were imposed as part of a response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to authorize a “special military operation” in Ukraine on Feb. 24. As of March 1, Ukraine has suffered 752 civilian casualties, including 227 killed and 525 injured, according to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Reuters contributed to this report.